By JESSICA SIEFF
Edwardsburg Argus

It is one of those traditions most people don’t mind getting up early in the morning for.
And at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church early Tuesday morning, members of the community braved the fresh coat of lake effect snow to pick up a box of paczkis, being sold by the Knights of Columbus  traditional polish pastries enjoyed every year the day before Ash Wednesday, also known as Fat Tuesday.

Available in just about every flavor from lemon and blueberry to apple, holland creme and custard, boxes of paczkis were stacked up high for eager customers.

For the Knights of Columbus this was their first such event and by Tuesday, the group said they had already sold over 100 dozen.

According to information compiled by the Knights of Columbus – Paczki (pronounced punch-key) Day is considered “the feast of plenty before the Lenten fast begins.”

The dense polish pastries are deep fried and are often available with a variety of fillings. The traditional is prune, but favorites include cream cheese, strawberry, raspberry and are either topped with a glazing or dusted with confectioners sugar.

According to The Polish American Journal, “while the practice of Paczki Day is traditionally observed the day before Ash Wednesday in the United States, in Poland, paczki sales are the highest on Tlusty Czwartek, or ‘Fat Thursday.'”